ORTHODONTICS FOR CHILDREN

Doctor, will my child have crooked teeth?

It is often possible to predict whether your child will need braces once all of the adult teeth have erupted. This can be assessed from the age of 7. It is also the recommendation of the American Association of Orthodontists, of which Dr Normand Bach is a member.

In certain patients who are yet to gain their full adult dentition (before the age of 12-13), it may be possible to offer a phase one treatment.

This phase of orthodontic appliances aims to:

Guide growth and improve the relationship between the upper and lower jaws, before the child has stopped growing so as to reduce the chance of surgery as an adult

In certain cases, phase one treatments may eliminate the need for braces on the adult dentition, reduce the length or complexity of treatment, or eliminate the need to extract permanent teeth.

In addition, phase one treatments such as palate expansion in children may reduce sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea. When carrying out this kind of treatment, we always work closely with a sleep specialist such as an ENT doctor or a pneumologist.

However, phase one treatments are not suitable for all children. Furthermore, most children do not need any treatment until permanent dentition has appeared. Regular fixed orthodontic treatment in adolescence would be recommended in such cases.

Your dentist will tell you whether or not your child would benefit from a phase one treatment. You can also make an appointment for a consultation with orthodontist Dr Normand Bach. He will be able to answer any questions you have and advise what treatment will be appropriate for your child.

When should my child start orthodontic treatment?

Past the age of seven (7), orthodontist Dr Normand Bach can examine your child’s bite to assess the need or otherwise for a phase one treatment, that is, a treatment when your child has both primary and permanent dentition.

Will my child need braces or other devices?

Orthodontist Dr Normand Bach will only recommend a phase one treatment if there is a clear advantage to be had (reduction in length of treatment to permanent dentition, elimination of need for surgery or dental extractions etc.). In any case, most children do not require phase one devices prior to the appearance of all of their adult teeth.

What happens next?

Adolescent orthodontic treatment may be continued where necessary once the patient has a complete permanent dentition, towards the age of 12 or 13.